2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

4,312 MOT tests in 2024. 68.1% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

120Well above average
Passed first time68.1%
Failed or needed repairs31.9%
Typical mileage at test128,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,312 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    234 marked dangerous
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.1%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.9%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.6%
    154 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    100 marked dangerous
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension17.7%
  2. Brakes13.3%
  3. Lights & electrics9.9%
  4. Tyres8.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  6. Steering4.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.0%
  8. Body & chassis2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

In 2024, 68.1% of 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,312 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 120, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).